In their new song, “Waiting For The End”, the band Linkin Park offered a lyric that should be considered particularly fitting for Baltimore Ravens fans.

“The hardest part of ending is starting again…”

With their 31-24 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in the AFC Divisional Round, the 2010-2011 NFL season has ended for the Ravens.

It didn’t take long for the team’s offseason to begin. Even with owners and players apparently headed towards a lockout, GM Ozzie Newsome, Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta, Senior Personnel Assistant George Kokinis and Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz lead a front office hard at work in shaping what the 2011 Baltimore Ravens will look like…as long as there is a 2011 NFL season.

Members of the front office are already preparing for the NFL Draft, as they are scouting college seniors this week in Orlando at the East West Shrine Game. Next week they will be doing the same thing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL.

As we enter the offseason, I’ll offer a variation of my preseason power rankings (you’ll remember my “Mocking the 53” blogs) to review the team’s roster. This is a complicated review, as I factor in who had the best season, who has proved to a better player overall, the value of the position and contract status.

While I said Tuesday Ngata was the team’s best player in 2010 (he also received my vote for/won the team’s Most Valuable Player award), his contract status leaves him second on the list.

Suggs was outstanding in 2010, proving his 2009 season was indeed a fluke after signing a big contract the proceeding offseason.

It is going to cost owner Steve Bisciotti a LOT of money to retain Ngata this offseason, but the Ravens are basically going to have to pay the price. Losing Ngata could absolutely WRECK the franchise’s plans defensively, as Ngata anchors what they do up front. It could only spell the end of Lewis’ career. If Ngata were to depart, Lewis could no longer be viewed as a Top 5 player on the roster for sure.

Rice’s fantasy football numbers were down in 2010, but his offensive impact certainly wasn’t. He remained the Ravens’ most dynamic playmaker and is expected to an offensive force for years to come.

It was interesting (for me) as I graded out players that I felt Grubbs was worthy of being a Top 5 player. Grubbs proved himself to be the team’s best and most reliable Offensive Lineman, and gives the team at least one more position they don’t have to worry about…for now.

Everything at the receiver position has to be viewed as wide open right now…except for Boldin. He has to be viewed as the team’s top possession receiver no matter what Derrick Mason decides to do.

While Flacco is still a cornerstone for the franchise (and the suggestion made that the team should have him “compete” with Marc Bulger for the starting job is laughable), his move outside the Top 5 is a statement. He made SOME of the progress the team wanted him to make-but not all of it. There will be increasing pressure for that to happen next year.

Oher represents a tricky situation for the Ravens. While he struggled in 2010, he’s certainly not a BAD player. The team will have to figure out whether or not he has a long term future at LT. If he does (and he plays to that level), he’ll be a Top 5 player on this team for a long time.

Koch and Cundiff represent a unique problem for the team. During the 15 years of the team’s history, they’ve never been the type of organization that would spend a lot of money on a specialist. They’re going to have to pay two guys this offseason as top-tier specialists. These players were a SIGNIFICANT reason the team managed to win 12 regular season games and a playoff game this year.

Heap, Mason and Reed are unique. If this list was based on ability and performance alone; there would be an argument they should all be in the Top 10. Their age leaves them on the outside looking in, as even if they return as expected the team will have to make decisions at their positions.

It might seem surprising that Foxworth is the highest ranked of the cornerbacks, but he was the team’s top guy before getting hurt and is the only guy (besides Lardarius Webb) in the group who actually has a contract.

The Ravens are in a VERY unique situation with McClain. He had a tremendous season at fullback; but doesn’t want to return as true fullback. To return, the two time Pro Bowler would have to be assured of more involvement in Cam Cameron’s offense. I’m not sure how likely that is.

Carr had a great season and offered some legitimate stability to the team’s defensive backfield. That being said, there will be a question as to whether or not bringing him back will work monetarily. If he gets paid as a #1 corner, the Ravens might be in trouble. Wilson is in the same boat. The uncertainty surrounding those two corners helps Webb find himself ranked higher on the list.

My guess is that one of Carr and Wilson will be back, but not both.

Johnson and Redding are both solid contributors to the defense, and the Ravens can pencil them in for next season. They’ll need a healthier (or just somehow more effective) Johnson, and they’ll need to compliment Redding with a legitimate rush end.

Like other players, the Ravens find themselves in a tricky spot when it comes to Landry. As a starter and solid contributor to one of the league’s better defenses over the last few years, Landry could find himself in position to make a lot of money on the free agent market. The Ravens may or may not be in a place to match that. He’s been good; but with restricted free agents Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura likely to return, it seems unlikely they would retain Landry at a high cost.

Houshmandzadeh almost seems to be in a “if Mason doesn’t come back” position. The Ravens can’t just retain all of their top three receivers and make progress offensively. If Mason retires, there would be a much greater likelihood of Houshmandzadeh returning.

Dickson showed signs of being a potential breakout performer in 2010, but never actually broke out. The team will look to expand his role as he continues to get more comfortable in the offense. He also represents the team’s best chance of limiting an aging Heap’s snaps in 2011.

It might look surprising at first to see McKinney listed ahead of a player like Gregg, but I think it represents an area where the Ravens can move forward. McKinney came on strong down the stretch, looking like a reliable cog on the defensive line. While Gregg made a fantastic play on Kansas City Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium, he showed signs of aging as the season wore on, and it would be difficult to assume he could continue playing the majority of downs in the future.

My only gut instinct with Gaither is that the team won’t give him the type of premium price tag a top tier OT would probably expect. There’s an argument as to whether or not ANYONE should pay Gaither that price, but my guess is that someone will. The Ravens don’t want to see Yanda depart, but there’s a chance another NFL team will choose to offer him legitimate tackle money because he played the position in 2010.

The Ravens likely can’t be in position to overpay a player like Yanda, but they certainly to solidify their O-Line. Birk could still decide to retire; but even if he doesn’t the team has to make future plans for the position.

Cody showed SOME signs of being a future contributor during the 2010 season, but probably not enough that the Ravens can feel comfortable with expecting him to play every down in 2011. Nakamura could be very important, as he would be the most likely to step into the role should Landry depart in free agency.

I’m going to guess that McGahee won’t be getting the $19.7 million owed to him over the last three years of his contract. The most likely scenario probably involves McGahee not returning to Charm City next season. But if he’s willing to take a pay cut, there’s still a chance he could be a solid compliment to Rice behind an improved O-Line.

Paul Kruger started to show some signs at the end of the season that he might be able to contribute in the future. Unfortunately, that’s probably not the level of progression the team had in mind for the 2009 2nd round pick. 2011 could be a “make or break” type of year for Kruger.

And then there’s McClain/Gooden/Ellerbe. Does anyone else want to try to figure this out? The team clearly hoped one player in this group would separate themselves out at McDaniel College in Westminster during Training Camp in 2010, but that clearly didn’t happen. They also hoped one would separate themselves during the 2010 season. That didn’t happen either.

Of the group, McClain has probably shown himself to be the most steady, but is equally vulnerable against the pass. Gooden is probably the best against the pass, but there’s a joke in there about being the prettiest girl at fat camp. Ellerbe showed some capability of making plays in the backfield, but looks lost against the pass.

It looks like all three will end up returning in 2011. It also looks like the Ravens will be in a very familiar position when (if?) the season begins.

Whether or not David Reed can someday contribute at receiver is still to be determined. But he clearly came on as a kick returner until a concussion and a wrist injury cut his season short. He’ll have to stay out of trouble off the field, but it looks like the Ravens have a solid piece of the puzzle in Reed.

Washington made it clear earlier this week he wouldn’t return to the team unless his role was expanded. There’s a chance his role could be expanded if Carr and Wilson depart. Otherwise, it doesn’t look good. Zbikowski will almost certainly be back, the organization will now have to determine whether or not he is capable of replacing Ed Reed on a full-time basis whenever the future Hall of Famer walks away from the game.

Cox did a nice job of solidifying the long snapper position after beating veteran Matt Katula out during the preseason. The only concern surrounding Cox is how quickly he’ll be able to return from the torn ACL he suffered against the Cleveland Browns, but it appears as though he’ll be ready to go.

Chester will be another tough decision for the Ravens. If another team is willing to pay him to be an every down linemen, the organization will have to think hard before matching. Chester has shown himself as being reliable, but I think he’s only a starter in Baltimore if Yanda were to depart…or the Ravens were forced to keep Yanda at Tackle.

Williams could be in a good spot this offseason. As an exclusive rights free agent, he could be in a good position to come back and get more playing time should some of the corners ahead of him sign elsewhere. He’s 6’1″, and the team liked him at least enough to hold on to him through a suspension to start the 2010 season.

Moll looks like a solid option to return and give the O-Line important depth. He’s capable of playing multiple positions to at least a solid level. He’s not good enough to be an every down player and it’s unlikely that another team will choose to pay him that way.

Phillips showed signs in 2010, probably enough that he will enter the 2011 season on the “good” side of the roster bubble. He certainly can’t be considered a lock at this point however.

Bulger will likely only return to the team if he isn’t offered a starting job elsewhere. With Jim Harbaugh now in charge of the San Francisco 49ers, it wouldn’t be stunning to see him consider Bulger. If the options are for backup jobs-or even jobs where Bulger would have to “compete” for a starting gig, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him return to Baltimore.

Some of the fan frustration surrounding Cam Cameron certainly centers around Stallworth, who seems unlikely to return. The Ravens need a speed receiver option, but it has to be a player they’ll trust to send out and stretch the field.

The lack of involvement from Pitta in 2010 was disappointing, but he was often a victim of only being able to dress 53 players. His role should expand in 2011.

Ayanbadejo and Smith are interesting cases. Both are special teams players only for the most part, and the team will have to determine how much value they have. Smith is unlikely to generate much interest elsewhere, Ayanbadejo isn’t getting any younger. Both could return, but I don’t think they’re guarantees.

Jones and Divens are both solid players who have the “look” of Ravens defensive linemen. The only issue for new Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano is that he’s inheriting a bunch of these type of players. They’re big, they move fairly well and they can control gaps. Jones will clearly be back in 2011, Divens is the question mark.

Burgess was a solid Special Teams contributor who was also able to get a handful of positive snaps defensively. There’s a chance he could generate interest elsewhere, we remember the New England Patriots grabbed him when he was available in 2009.

Parmele could stand to benefit from a McGahee departure, but probably wouldn’t be a great option as the top compliment to Rice.

Cousins gives the team a cheap reserve tackle. I can’t fathom anyone will be hot after him, so he seems like a player that will at least make it to Westminster with a chance to retain his job.

Hardy is interesting. He climbed the list after comments by Newsome in the team’s Season Review press conference. There was a reason Hardy was once a second round pick by the Buffalo Bills. There’s also a reason why he was unemployed a season ago. Either way, he’s 6’5″. The Ravens don’t have any other receivers of that size right now.

Davon Drew is the fourth of four TE’s on the roster. That would be a problem in a lot of places, but when the General Manager is a former Tight End, it bodes well for the chances of sticking around.

Kindle is such a question mark (as he continues to recover from a fractured skull) that it really doesn’t matter how much talent he might have. Until there’s reason to believe he’ll be able to return next season, he can’t be an assumed part of the 53 man roster.

If Talavou is able to come back healthy, he’s highly thought of by the organization. He could be the insurance that allows the team to let someone like Divens go elsewhere.

Lawrence is a good Special Teams player if he’s healthy. It will be an uphill battle for him to make the roster in Training Camp, especially after missing the entire 2010 season.

Cantwell is the team’s 3rd quarterback, but has only a cup of coffee worth of experience on an active roster with the Carolina Panthers in 2009. If the Ravens decided to go with three QB’s again, he’d have a decent chance to make the roster.

Harper is tall. Harper has only ever been on the active roster briefly. The team’s website apparently doesn’t know Harper wears number 82. That’s where we’re at with Harper.

I’d provide a picture of Kevin Houser here, but even the team’s official site doesn’t have one.

If they all return (and are healthy); Harewood, Mattison and Sanders will compete to try to provide depth along the O-Line. Harewood could give the team an insurance policy if they choose to cut ties with Cousins, Sanders could prove to be the team’s center of the future when Birk hangs up the cleats. A local writer joked with me that Mattison had been “on scholarship” in recent seasons-that would probably come to an end now as his father (former Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison) has departed for Michigan.

Steele has the look of a potential weapon at the next level. If he can work his way into the return game, he’d have a much better shot of making the roster.

McClellan is employed by the Ravens, as is Gorrer. I’m going to guess most of you didn’t know that. Neither has a realistic path to the active roster.

Bond and Ramsey are big. My guess is that both of them will find their way onto an active roster in the National Football League someday. It probably won’t be in Baltimore however.

It might not be fair for me to rank Houser last on this list. He’s a NFL player, which is more than anyone else in this final group can really say. But his ONLY chance of returning to the team is if Cox can’t return from his torn ACL. There’s a chance he might not be ready for the start of Training Camp, but it’s unlikely it will be a factor moving towards the 2011 regular season.

(Thanks to BaltimoreRavens.com for the pictures!)

-G

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PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Greetings from Heinz Field, where the Baltimore Ravens (13-4) will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game. Today’s game will air on CBS (WJZ 13 in Charm City) with Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf on the call. We will be chatting about the game in our “Purple Haze” live chat, which you can join HERE.

The winner of today’s game will advance to next Sunday’s AFC Championship Game to face the winner of tomorrow’s divisional round game between the New England Patriots and New York Jets.

CLEVELAND, Oh. — Greetings from Cleveland Browns Stadium, where the Baltimore Ravens (10-4) will face the Cleveland Browns (5-9) at 1pm. With a win today, the Ravens would clinch a franchise record third straight trip to the playoffs.

Today’s game can be seen on CBS (WJZ 13 locally in Charm City) with Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts on the call. We will be chatting about the game in our “Purple Haze” chat here at WNST.net. You can join the chat HERE.

WR Donte’ Stallworth was announced Thursday as the team’s recipient of the annual Ed Block Courage Award.

Stallworth missed the entire 2009 season after being pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter. The Ravens signed him as a free agent in February.

Stallworth also missed the first seven games of the 2010 season after breaking his foot in the preseason. Since returning, he has caught two passes for 82 yards and has run the ball four times for 30 yards.

The announcement was made following media availability Thursday, making Stallworth and teammates unavailable to comment.

Players from all 32 NFL organizations vote winners annually from their own team. Players vote for a teammate who has “exemplified a commitment to sportsmanship and courage.”

S Dawan Landry received the award from the Ravens in 2009.

The Ed Block Courage Awards will be held March 8, 2011 in Baltimore. A press conference recognizing Stallworth as the Ravens winner will take place Tuesday at the Sports Legends Museum in Charm City.

No other 2010 winners were announced Thursday.

DT Haloti Ngata and K Sam Koch were also honored Thursday, as both were named to the USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals team. Selection to the team was based on fundamentally sound play and consistent display of good character.

Ngata was selected to the team for a second consecutive season.

PRACTICE REPORT: S Tom Zbikowski (back) was again missing from the open portion of practice Wednesday. Zbikowski has not practiced since being forced to leave the team’s Week 14 win over the Houston Texans early.

WR David Reed (concussion) was also missing from the practice field for a second straight day. Reed was forced to leave the team’s Week 15 win over the New Orleans Saints in the first half.

OL Tony Moll (illness) and LB Jason Phillips (illness) each returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday. The flu bug continues to have an impact on the Ravens locker room; S Haruki Nakamura was also listed on Thursday’s injury report but he missed the session entirely.

Linebacker and special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo was also at first believed to be another victim of the flu bug, but the Ravens revealed that he missed practice because of a knee injury.

Center Matt Birk(knee) was also a full participant in practice the last several days despite his injury.

Derrick Mason’s injury(ankle) kept him limited in the session open to the media but his game status should not be an issue.

TE Todd Heap (hamstring) practiced for a second straight day, improving his chances of playing for the first time since being forced to leave the team’s Week 13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter.

Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron said Heap has looked “great” in practice throughout the week.

“I look forward to getting him back, probably sooner than later. He hasn’t missed a beat in his preparation (or) his rehab. (He’s a) consummate pro. I look forward to getting him back.”

NOTES: Hear from Cameron, Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison and Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net now……RB/KR Jalen Parmele joined Drew Forrester Thursday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST, hear that chat in the Audio Vault as well……The Ravens will hold their final open practice of the week Friday before Sunday’s game, Head Coach John Harbaugh is scheduled to meet with the media following practice……Weather.com/The Weather Channel is predicting 25 degrees and snow showers for Cleveland Sunday

The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-17 in a Week 3 contest at M&T Bank Stadium, but they gave up an alarming 144 yards rushing to Browns RB Peyton Hillis in the loss.

Ravens players said Wednesday an encore performance should not be expected.

“A blind cat will find a meal every once in awhile” said LB Ray Lewis. “It’s just the way it happens. The thing about this league is consistency. We understand the two big runs that we gave up against him. (As) our team’s leader-it won’t happen again.”

Lewis went on to say “we definitely aren’t coming in there to give him over 100 yards again.”

Lewis wasn’t the only player to say the team intended to shut down the Browns’ likely Pro Bowl back.

“Definitely won’t happen again” said DT Haloti Ngata. “Some things they did a good job (of) scheming us and finding the holes for Peyton to hit. He’s a north and south runner, he doesn’t really like to run sideways and cut down. If we just close those holes for him to go through, then he’s gonna have to run sideways and we can probably get him better that way.”

Head Coach John Harbaugh said he thought the rematch provided motivation for his defense.

“I’m sure it does. I think it’s part of it. We’re motivated because stopping the run is important. They’re a team that prides themselves in running the ball.”

Before the Week 3 contest, Hillis had run for 100 yards just once in his NFL career (3rd season). Since the Week 3 contest, Hillis has run for 100 yards or more in four additional contests.

PRACTICE REPORT: TE Todd Heap (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday. It was the first time Heap had practiced since being forced to leave the team’s Week 13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter. Heap’s chances of seeing the field Sunday have to be considered greatly improved after returning to the practice field. He was listed as a limited participant, as was WR Derrick Mason (ankle).

S Tom Zbikowski (back) remained out of practice Wednesday. He has not seen the field since leaving the team’s Week 14 win over the Houston Texans early. Harbaugh had hinted Friday Injured Reserve could still be an option for Zbikowski.

WR/KR David Reed did not participate in practice Wednesday after leaving the team’s Week 15 win over the New Orleans Saints in the first half with a concussion. His status for Sunday is considered to be in jeopardy. If Reed is unable to play, RB/KR Jalen Parmele is expected to return kicks in his place.

OL Tony Moll (illness) and LB Jason Phillips (illness) also did not participate in practice Wednesday, neither is believed to be in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s game. C Matt Birk (knee) and WR Marcus Smith (shoulder) were listed as full participants Wednesday.

All other Browns and Ravens players were not listed on Wednesday’s injury report.

NOTES: Hear from Harbaugh, Lewis, Ngata, QB Joe Flacco, WR Anquan Boldin and RB Ray Rice now in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net……Boldin was presented with the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award by Team President Dick Cass Wednesday. All 32 teams name an honoree, one of those players will be chosen as the league recipient after the season……Parmele is scheduled to join Drew Forrester at 7:20am Thursday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST……John Parry’s crew will officiate Sunday’s game……The Ravens re-signed OL Bryan Mattison to the practice squad Wednesday, he had been waived from the active roster Monday so the team could sign TE Davon Drew from the practice squad……The Ravens will return to practice Thursday; coordinators Cam Cameron, Greg Mattison and Jerry Rosburg are scheduled to meet with the media